But the filter media is where a lot of the BB lives as well. I'll just start off growing BB there and add my rock as I go and the BB will also start developing there.

I got my sand and salt water today! Over the next few days I'll work on moving the inhabitants over and cleaning out the tank so hopefully this weekend I can set it up. I just have zero dollars for any rock...

Well I don't see why you can't start with out it. It will grow in the media I've just always thought it is better to have more places for it to live so everytime you add a new invert or fish you had more surface area for it to colonize. maybe someone else will chime in who has done it before without the rock to start. I had it so I have no real experience without it.

I'm not getting any fish or inverts until I get my rock in there. I just want to set it up with the water and sand and filter to kick start the cycle. The BB will start to colonize the filter and I'll add in my rock ASAP. It's not like once the filter cycles the rock won't. Once I add in the rock the BB will also grow on there. Will this work out fine? I'm just too darn excited to get this set up, and I don't have the money to go and get any rock yet.

Of course you can start cyclin without rock. Some tanks are fish-only, as in NO rock. The BB will start on your sand and filter. Then add base rock when you get some cash, and it'll spread to the rock.